Dispensing tube apparatus



Sept. 9, 1958 J. w. KRYSTOSEK 2,851,194

DISPENSING TUBE APPARATUS Filed April 26, less ATTORNEYS.

2,351,194 Patented Sept. 9, 1958 dice and

DISPENSENG TUBE APPARATUS Joseph W. Krystoseir, Lombard, Ill.

Application April 26, 1955, Serial No. 504,00

2 Claims. (Cl. 222-99) This invention pertains to dispensing tubes, and is particularly concerned with devices for squeezing collapsible dispensing tubes to extrude the contents thereof.

Most everyone has had occasion to use collapsible dispensing tubes for they are employed extensively as containers for toothpaste, shaving cream, medicinal and cosmetic ointments, etc. Such tubes are closed at one end, provided with a cap equipped opening at the other end and have collapsible or compressible walls usually made of metal foil. To dispense the contents of a tube, the closure cap is removed and the tube compressed, whereupon a portion of its contents is extruded.

A problem exists in the use of such dispensing tubes in that it is ditficult to completely empty the tube of its contents, for this can be accomplished only by uniform collapsing of the tube progressively from the closed end thereof toward the discharge opening. Further, the walls of the tubes being quite thin and easily ruptured, a considerable quantity of the tube contents are often lost through breaks that appear in the tube walls and that occur when the tube is compressed. Heretofore, it has been proposed that-slotted keys be employed to receive the end closure of a tube therein and for rolling up the tube toward the opening equipped end thereof to extrude the tube contents. Keys have not come into use, however, for they are not conveniently used, cannot be reusedwithout considerable difiiculty, and do not adequately squeeze the tube so as to extrude all of its contents. A need exists for a better device usable in the compressing of collapsible tubes to dispense the contents thereof.

It is, accordingly, an object of this invention to provide a device for use in the compressing of collapsible tubes to dispense the contents thereof. Another object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that is conveniently used, and that is reusable in the sense that it can be readily removed from a completely collapsed tube and thereafter secured in position on another tube. Still another object is in the provision of a device for use with compressible dispensing tubes and that is operative to completely and thoroughly compress the tube progressively from the closed end thereof to the opposite end whereby substantially all of the tube contents are extruded.

A further object is in the provision of a core or roller member that has substantial cross section and that is provided with a longitudinally extending channel adapted to receive and anchor the closed end portion of a collapsible dispensing tube whereby the tube can be compressed about the peripheral surface of the core member to completely dispense all of the tube contents. Still a further object is to provide a core member as described having traction means about the peripheral surface thereof and wherein the channel comprises a recess extending longitudinally of the core member. Additional objects and advantages will appear as the specification proceeds.

Embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective view showing a collapsible dispensing tube equipped with the core member; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the arrangement of Figure 1, but in which the tube has been partially compressed; Figure 3 is an end elevation of the core member shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the core member; Figure 5 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on the line 5--5 of Figure 3; Figures 6, 7, 8 and 9 are end views in elevation, each showing a modified form of the core device; Figure 10 is a side view in elevation of the core device illustrated in Figure 9, and showing the same in position within a partially collapsed tube; Figure 11 is a perspective view showing a further modification; Figure 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the core device shown in Figure 11; Figure 13 is an end view in elevation of an other modification; Figure 14 is a side view in elevation of the core illustrated in Figure 13, but in position within a partially collapsed tube; Figure 15 is a perspective view showing still a further modification of the core member; and Figure 16 is an end view in elevation showing yet another modification.

Figure 1 illustrates a dispensing tube 10 having a bottom end closure 11 and a discharge end 12 equipped with a removable cap 13. The dispensing tube 10 is compressible and is constructed and arranged so that when the cap 13 (which covers a discharge opening) is removed and the tube compressed, the contents of the tube are extruded through the discharge opening. The end closure 11 is ordinarily formed by bending the tube upon itself and compressing the same together. The tube 10 may be formed from any suitable material, and ordinarily is made of a thin metal foil that is readily collapsed and that is easily torn and ruptured. The tube may contain any material and, as is well known, such tubes ordinarily contain plastic materials such as toothpaste, shaving cream, ointments, etc. Tube structures of this character are well known in the art, and therefore will not be further described in detail.

Shown in Figures 1 through 5 is a core member or roller 14 that in the specific illustration has substantial cross section, and extends at least from side to side of the tube 10 so that when the tube is collapsed about the peripheral surface of the roller, as is shown in Figure 2,

the entire width of the tube is received by the roller. It will be apparent that the roller or core member may have a greater length and might well provide end p01- tions that extend outwardly beyond the sides of the tube. The core member of Figures 1 through 5 is cylindrical and is provided with a channel or recess 15 extending longitudinally therethrough and having a restricted mouth 16 that opens onto the peripheral surface thereof. The I base of the recess is enlarged as is shown at 17, and the sidewalls 18 of the recess extend inwardly and laterally and are relatively straight. Preferably, the ends of the recess 15 are flared outwardly, as is shown at 19,

to provide an entrance that readily accommodates the closed end 11 of the tube 10 and guides it into position within the recess.

The generally triangular cross sectional configuration of the channel or recess 15 permits the end closure 11 of the tube It) to be inserted thereinto through the end of the recess. The portion of the closure that is relatively thickthat is, the portion that is folded upon itself to form the actual sealpasses freely through the enlarged section of the recess, but cannot pass through the restricted mouth 16 thereof. Therefore, the core is anchored in position upon the tube after the closed end 11 thereof has been moved axially into the recess 15.

The modified form of the core or roller member shown" I in Figure. 6 is' designated with the numeral 20, and is seen to be cylindrical and to be provided with a channel or recess 21 extending longitudinally therethrough. The recess 21 is generally similar to the recess heretofore described, but is offset from the center of the tube and lies-along a cord drawn transversely through the core and which is offset from the center thereof.

The modified form of core shown in Figure 7 is designated withthe numeral 22and is provided with a recess 23 extending longitudinally therethrough, and that is offset from a transverse axis through the core. The core member 22 is substantially identical to the core member heretofore described, except that the cross sectional configuration is octagonal rather than cylindrical,

The core 24 shown in Figure 8 is provided with a recess 25 longitudinally therethrough and that lies along a transverse axis drawn through the core. The member 24 is substantially identical to the core 14- shown in Figures 1 through 5, except that it has a square shaped cross section rather than cylindrical cross section.

The core 26 shown in Figures 9 and 10 is generally cylindrical and is equipped with a tongue 27 that lies along the circumferentialsurface thereof and that may be secured thereto by screws or brads 28. The tongue 27 is provided with a channel portion 29 that defines a channel 30 extending longitudinally ofthe' core 26. The channel 30 isadapted to'receive' the end closure of a collapsible tube 10a, as shown in Figure 10, and that may be identical to the'tube 10 'heretofore'described. The end closure of the tube is'inserted into the channel 30 by moving the closure longitudinally therethrough.

The rolleror core member may be provided about the peripheral surface thereof with traction means for gripping the walls of a collapsible tube during the compression thereof. In the core member 31, which is shown in Figures 11 and 12 and which is provided with a recess 32 extending longitudinally therethrough, the traction means are formed by interrupting the smooth surface of thecore with a plurality of spaced apart grooves 33 that extend longitudinally therealong and define ribs 33a therebetween. It will be appreciated that the ribs may be formed so that the raised areas thereof extending along thesurface'of the-core will be narrower, and in such event the ribs will be accentuated. It will be noted that the relatively sharp corner portions of the octagonal core 22 (shown in Figure 7) and of the square shaped core 24 (shown in Figure 8), in efiect, provide traction'means. Since the core 31 is substantially identical -to the core 14 described with reference to Figures 1 through 5, further description of the core 31 is believed to be unnecessary. The roller 31 at one end thereof is equipped with a closure wall 31a having a handle 31b. The wall limits movement of a tube end into the slot, and the handle facilitate removal of the roller from a coiled tube.

The roller or core members heretofore dcscribed'are solids that have been provided with either external or internal channels having restricted mouths and that are adapted to have the end closure of a collapsible tube inserted axially thereinto. In Figures 13 and 14, a core member 34 is illustrated that is hollow and that defines an enlarged recess 35 therein. The restricted mouth 36- of the recess is defined by the inwardly turned wall or lip'37 'on' oneside and by the inwardly turned lip 38 I on the other side thereof. It will be noted in Figures 13 and l t-that the member 34 is generally tubular, but has a flattened surface portion 39 that is useful in'initiating the collapsing of a tube 10b that is provided with an end closure 11b. After the end closure is inserted into the recess-35, the tube is drawn over the flattened surface portion'39' as shown in Figure 14.

The coremember 40 illustrated in Figure 15 is generally octagonal in cross section and has a hollow interior 41. A surface wall42 and an inwardly and centrally angled wall 43 define therebetween a recess having a might be extruded plastic.

A. restricted mouth 45 and that, if desired, may have a bottom wall closure 45'. The recess 34 lies along a cord drawn through a circle subscribed about the core 40 and that is offset from the center of such circle.

The core members may be formed from any suitable material, and might be made of wood or they may be made of plastic. For example, all of the core members It will be apparent that the cores will have various cross sectional configurations and, of course, may be decorated in any desired manner and be colored or plain, etc. In each of the embodiments illustrated, the core is provided with a channel extending longitudinally thereof that is relatively large at its inner or base end portion, and which has a restricted mouth suitable for anchoring the end closure of the tube within the channel. The end closure of the tube is readily inserted within the recesses or channels by moving the end closure axially therethrough.

In use of the cores, the end of a dispensing tube is moved longitudinally through the recess provided by the core, and the tube is preferably centered so that the core extends from side to side thereof. To extrude the plastic contents of the tube, the cap thereof is removed from its covering position about the discharge opening and the tube is then rolled over the peripheral surface of the core, as is illustrated in Figures 2, l0 and 14. Since the tube is anchored to the core, it may be drawn tightly and the walls of the tube then drawn firmly over the peripheral surface of the core to compress or collapse the tube progressively from the end closure thereof toward the discharge opening. All of the contents of the tube can be extruded, for the core members provide a rigid backing surface that permits the tube to be squeezed firmly thereagainst whereby the material within the tube is advanced progressively from the end closure thereof.

If the core member is provided with traction means about the peripheral surface thereof, the rolling of the core within the tube to initiate the extrusion is facilitated. If the form of the invention shown in Figures 13 and 14 is employed, the tube is first drawn over the flattened peripheral surface portion 39, as shown in Figure 14.

The core or roller member is readily removable for after the tube has been collapsed completely thereabout, the core can be moved from position within the coiled tube by simply applying a slight axial force thereagainst. While the tubes are drawn tightly about the peripheral surface of the core, there is a slight release therefrom after each extrusion operation, and only a minimum of force need be applied to the core to remove it from its position within thetube. Thus, the core can be reused indefinitely for it can be removed in a minimum of time and with substantially no effort from position within a tube that has been collapsed thereabout. While serving as an anchor and rigid member about which a collapsible dispensing tube can be tightly drawn to extrude all of the contents of the tube progressively from the closure end thereof, nevertheless thecore can be readily removed after a tube has been collapsed in its entirety thereabout. In some instances, it may be desirable to initially equip a collapsible tube with a core or roller member.

The roller illustrated in Figure 16 comprises a cylindrical hollow shell 47 split longitudinally to define a slot or line of division 48 between the edges thereof. The roller is formed of a spring material, for example, spring metal or certain plastics, that permits the edges to be separated to accommodate insertion of a tube end clos ure. The edges 48 then tightly grip the tube to hold the same therebetween. Otherwise, the roller 47 functions in the same manner as the rollers heretofore described.

It should be appreciated that the various individual features described with reference to particular embodiments of the invention, and illustrated, for the purpose of clarity, only on certain of the embodiments, can be applied to many of the various forms of the roller structure. For example, the gripping means to facilitate removal of the roller, as shown in connection with roller 31 as a handle but which might be slots or grooves to receive finger nails, can be used with other forms of the roller, and the same is true of the ribs, peripheral recesses and insertion slots.

Not only is the roller structure advantageous because wastage of tube contents is eliminated, but the entire tube contents are moved bodily from the closure end of the tube toward the discharge opening thereof. result, substantially no air is sucked into the tube at the termination of a squeezing operation, and the contents then remain in better condition for longer periods. This is especially desirable where paints and dyes are contained in the tube. Essentially, the idea here is bulk storage as contrasted with storage of the material in thinly spread condition.

While in the foregoing specification embodiments of the invention have been set out in considerable detail for purposes of illustration, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that numerous changes may be made in those details without departing from the spirit and principles of the invention.

I claim:

1. In a roller structure of the character described adapted for use in extruding the contents of a collapsible dispensing tube, a hollow, generally tubular core, said core being severed along a line extending longitudinally thereof and having inwardly turned lips therealong defining a restricted channel therebetween communicating with the hollow interior of the core and having also a flattened portion along one of said lips providing a chordally extending surface, and said core being resiliently flexible to open said channel and permit the end portion of a collapsible dispensing tube to be moved longitudinally therethrough, said core being thereafter Asa.

adapted to frictionally grip such end portion of a dispensing tube to confine the end closure thereof within the hollow interior of the core, whereby such dispensing tube may be coiled about the exterior of said core in the extrusion of its contents with said surface acting as a purchase for the tube.

2. In a device adapted for use with a collapsible dispensing tube to extrude the contents therefrom, a hollow thin-walled core defining an enlarged central passage extending longitudinally therethrough, said core being discontinuous to define an axially extending channel along the outer surface thereof and being flexible to afilord opening of such channel, said core having inwardly turned loops along said channel and being depressed along one such loop to provide a purchase, said channel being in open communication with said passage and affording a restricted mouth therefor, said passage being adapted to receive the end closure of a collapsible tube therein and said rnouth being adapted to snugly receive the end portion adjacent such closure of a collapsible tube therein, the enlarged central passage through said core being characterized by freely passing the relatively rigid end closure of a collapsible tube therethrough while said restricted channel is operative to constrain such end closure in the passage and prevent its inadvertent withdrawal therethrough when a collapsible tube is coiled about the core in the extrusion of its contents.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 607,530 Taylor July 19, 1898 1,057,538 Gammeter Apr. 1, 1913 1,668,296 Wells May 1, 1928 1,935,457 McGuire Nov. 14, 1933 2,161,516 Jung Ian. 6, 1939 

